On the second anniversary of the death of Diego Maradona, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those who paid tribute.
Diego Maradona should have a day of celebration dedicated to him at every World Cup, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The legendary Argentine died at the age of 60 in November 2020 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Paying tribute during the World Cup in Qatar at an event marking the second anniversary of Maradona’s death, Infantino said the mercurial figure should be remembered at every subsequent tournament for his significant influence on football.
“Diego is immortal, he is with us,” Infantino said. “We don’t just need to pay tribute, we also need to celebrate Diego. I wish from now on every World Cup we have a day to celebrate Diego Armando Maradona because he made so many people fall in love with our sport.” Football.
“I’m Italian and an Inter fan. I’m not Argentinian or a Napoli fan, and of course Diego has made Inter and Italians cry many times, but we love him.”
“I am proud because after we came to football, mine and Alejandro [Dominguez, CONMEBOL president], Diego came back to be with us at the World Cup in Russia and I personally had the opportunity to talk to him many times and start a friendship, and then I realized its depth.
“Diego has been a great leader in Argentina, South America and around the world. We have to celebrate him all the time. I feel great emotions, we would love to have him here at this World Cup, but he is in our hearts.” ”
At Argentina’s press conference ahead of their crucial Group C clash with Mexico, head coach Lionel Scaloni also acknowledged the anniversary of Maradona’s death, saying: “It’s a very sad day for everyone, tomorrow we hope to bring some joy to Diego, if there is any.” he looks down on us.
“Every time we see his form, it’s unbelievable that he’s not here with us. Hopefully tomorrow will be a happy day for us all.”
The Albiceleste were surprisingly beaten 2-1 in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia and striker Lautaro Martinez echoed Scaloni’s remark that he and his team-mates would try to honor Maradona by securing a better result against Mexico.
“This is a very special day,” said the Inter forward. “We have him in our minds as Argentinians, but he was a very important player for everyone in global football, not just for us.
“We hope to bring some joy tomorrow.